Landslide Blocks River And Strands Trekkers In Nepal

A massive landslide blocked a river in Nepal, destroying homes and bridges while stranding hundreds of local villagers and foreign trekkers.

Between Sunday 11 and Tuesday 13 October 2026, a sudden landslide struck the Gorkha district in Nepal, which is located about 100 km west of the capital city of Kathmandu. A predawn landslide blocked the Budhi Gandaki river, causing a flash flood of black mud and debris. Nepal's national disaster authorities reported that the disaster swept away more than 200 homes, several bridges, and parts of the popular Manaslu trekking trail. While no deaths have been confirmed so far, five local villagers remain out of contact. Three hydroelectric plants that generate electricity were also damaged. At least six bridges were totally destroyed, cutting off remote mountain settlements across northern Gorkha. Because roads are blocked, rescue and relief operations now depend almost entirely on helicopters flying into the difficult terrain.

Why it matters

For ordinary families and mountain communities, this disaster brings sudden fear, homelessness, and hunger. The destroyed bridges and blocked highways mean people are trapped without proper food, clean water, or electricity. When disasters strike fragile mountain regions, ordinary workers and local villagers usually pay the highest price, losing their homes and livelihoods while waiting for slow government help. Foreign tourists also got stranded, including a group of nine Bangladeshi trekkers who reported that food was running short in Jagat village. While authorities are working hard to send supplies, local representatives point out that many displaced families have not received relief and are still struggling to find safe shelter. When vital infrastructure like hydroelectric plants and roads break down, the poorest people suffer the most. We must ask how effectively governments can protect remote mountain communities from climate disasters and whether relief reaches everyone fairly.

Key facts

• Over 200 homes were swept away by the flash flood of black mud and debris after the river was blocked.

• More than 100 foreign trekkers were stranded along the Manaslu circuit, and those who want to return are being rescued.

• The Nepal Army deployed four helicopters and ground teams to rescue hundreds of people and deliver emergency supplies.

• The army flew in about 7,800 kg of food and relief supplies, while the disaster authority airlifted tents, blankets, rice, lentils and medical kits.

• Landslides also disrupted vital highways in several other districts including Dhading, Myagdi, Nawalpur, and Manang.

• Authorities rescued 321 people, including 12 foreigners, on Monday, and the army rescued 186 more, including 31 foreign nationals, on Tuesday.

What's next

The Nepal Army and disaster authorities stated that rescue operations, relief distribution, and the relocation of at-risk residents will continue in the coming days. Displaced villagers now wait anxiously for official decisions on permanent resettlement and rebuilding support. Important questions remain about how the government will safely relocate families who lost everything and restore damaged roads and power plants. We also need to know if remote mountain villages will receive long-term financial help to rebuild their lives rather than just temporary food supplies. The Budhi Gandaki is part of the Gandaki river system, which flows into India as the Gandak, so people living downstream in Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan and East and West Nawalparasi districts have been put on alert.